Improved process of and apparatus for annealing metals



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. BOT'IUM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED PROCESS `OF AND APPARATUS FOB ANNEALING METALS.

. Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 96,874, dated November 16, 1869.

To all whom fit may concern:

VBe it known that I, JAMES M. BorTU-M, ot' the city, count-y, and State of New York, have invented a new and uselul Improvementin Annealing Metals; and I do hereby declare that the following is a sufficiently full, clear, and

nace and placed in my improved cooling-cham' ber, which is then closed air-tight, until the gradual cooling ot' the metal within the annealing-pot is tnished. The annealing-pot, during this process, is supported at a considerable distance from the external wals ofthe chainber, and the cooling-chamber itselt' is `prefera bly supported in such a manner as to lessen or avoid any unequal conduction ot' heat from its various parts. If the cooling-chamber be. ot'large size, it will be lined on the interior with lire-brick or other non-conducting material, and will be furnished with rails, on which may run a truck to carry the annealing pot'in or out. The door of the cooling-chamber may be hung on hinges and its joints packed with charcoal or other proper material, so as to render the tight clamping of the cover upon the chamber unnecessary.

To illustrate the invention, I will proceed to describe the simple form thereof', which is represented in the accompany ing drawings.

Figure l represents a longitudinal section of the coolingchamber, and Fig. 2 a transverse section of the same, each figure showing an en xternal view of the annealingpot within the chamber.

Similar letters ot' reference indicate corresponding parts in both views.

A represents an annealing-pot, made in cylindrical or other common form, and provided with aremovable head or cover, which may be held down by wires a a.

B represents a hollow base, supporting the cooling-chamber C, which may be ot' cylindrical or other form, and is provided with a'removable head, D, packed or luted, as shown at d, and held securely to its seat by knucklebolts E and nuts F.

An air cock or valve, G, is employed to permit theescape of the air displaced by heat or by gases evolved within the chamber, the said valve being` then immediately closed to prevent any reflux ot' air until the cooling operation is completed, and then reopened, so as to relieve the head` D of unequal pressure on the outside when itis to be removed for the purpose ot' taking ont the annealingpot. For special kinds ot' work, or when from any cause -a more perfect vacuum is required wi h n theI chamber, the air is exhausted by means of an air-pulnp applied to the cock G.

In the illustration here given the. pot A `is supported within the chamber G by a frame. or stand, which may consist of two or more horizontal rods, H H, set at their ends in cros bars I I, so that the pot will have no direct contact with the walls ofthe chamber. but will be surrounded on all sides by gas. The et't'ect of this provision is to prevent the rapid or unequal cooling of the pot or its contents, and the entire apparatus e'ectnally'protects the metal under treatment from any` injurious atmospheric contact, any oxygen which may be inclosed within the chamberC beingl speedily consumed by contact with the red-hot box or pot A.'

ent.-

The process and apparatus for annealing metals, substantially as herein described.

JAMES MpBOflTUM.

Witnesses:

WM. B. QUINN, J. C. BUOKINGHAM.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat- 

